Max chuckled. “You’re really
enjoying this aren’t you?”
Asher laughed as he pulled away.
“Yeah…even though I know you’re the one who got me the job.”
Max reached over and grabbed
Asher around the neck and pulled him back into his embrace. “I didn’t get you
the job. You applied along with thirty other photographers and got the job
yourself.”
“See? Right there! That’s how
come I know you did it. I never told you any of that.”
Max looked down into Asher’s face
with a smile. “Do you think I would allow you to do anything without checking
it out first? Of course I know all about it.”
“Oh…yeah, you would do
that…right.” He shifted under Max’s arm, not really sure how to take all this
over protectiveness. “So…you didn’t threaten any lives or anything? You know, call
in some markers?”
Max laughed, something Asher
noticed he was doing a lot more of recently. “No, I did not threaten any lives
or call in any markers.” He sobered. “Are you disappointed?”
Asher turned to look at Max, a
thoughtful look on his face. Disappointed? Really? Did he actually want Max to
do those things for him? Well, not threaten people or anything but maybe the
occasional marker would be nice; but then again, maybe just a little irritating
too. If the mere mention of Max’s name could move mountains, small
accomplishments, like these photo books, should mean little to nothing even in
his own opinion.
But truthfully he lost himself
every time he lifted the camera to his eye. The hours flew by as he chased the
light and shadows. The moments he seemed to be able to capture…no, not just
moments, but emotion. And not just capture, but create something that would
speak to everyone who took the time to look. Sometimes it was just an image,
but other times he knew he could make people see what he saw at that moment. He
could make people feel the reason he clicked the button in the first place. He
felt the magic flow through him and he knew at least some of the shots were
exceptional. So at the moment, anyway, it really didn’t matter to him what
Max’s name alone could accomplish.
“No. Of course not. I am
certainly not disappointed. I love the fact I got the job on my own...if I
did.” He saw Max smirk as the man put the thin cigarette to his mouth. “I’m having
fun and the shots are turning out great. I might even enter some of the shots
in this contest coming up. The winner will have a showing of their work at the
next Art Fair Chicago.”
Max nodded his head. “I’ve gone
to that a few times.”
Asher once again pulled back
after he had settled into Max’s shoulder and looked up at him. “What? You?
Cultured? You’re kidding me, right?”
Max smiled but it looked more
like he had just been insulted. “Even cold blooded, heartless criminals enjoy
art, Asher.”
Well, Asher had to admit the old
man did have taste. One look at this living room alone screamed all kinds of
things about Max’s personality. Sharp, clean lines, minimalist simplicity with
only a touch of color. He leaned his back into the couch suddenly feeling tired
again but not taking his eyes off of his lover’s wickedly beautiful face. “I
bet if I had any of the pictures I already took of you being the cold
blooded…what was that again? Oh yeah, heartless criminal, I would win for sure.
Maybe I need to take some more.”
Max raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t worry. I’m not following
you.” Asher huffed out.
“I know.”
“But you are following me.”
“I am.”
“Why?”
“I think that would be obvious.
To keep you safe.”
“There isn’t anyone out to get me
anymore…except you that is.”
Max made no comment as he set his
now empty glass down on the table in front of him and snuffed out his
cigarette.
“Hey! There is no one out to get
me, right?”
“Of course not. But I am still
going to protect you.”
“Yeah, well, I noticed a few more
guards then usual today. What’s going on?”
“Nothing you need to concern
yourself about.”
“So there is something going on.
What?” Asher sat up straight and looked right at him, his heart suddenly
tripping. “Did something happen?”
Max simply took Asher’s glass
from his hand and set it down, too, then took the front of Asher’s robe and
pulled him into a firm kiss. Asher fought for a bit, finally being shoved down
onto the couch and pinned. Max broke the kiss just so he could whisper in his
ear, “It is none of your concern. Stay out of it. I will take care of
everything.” Then he took him into a deeper kiss, his hands exploring, making
Asher forget they had even been talking.
But Asher did wonder vaguely what would
become of dinner.
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